Help ID 19th Century Incised Parrying Shield

mmontoro · 14th April 2006, 03:36 AM

My vote is S.E. Australian, too. It looks nice. Shields were uncommon in Fiji.

VANDOO · 14th April 2006, 03:56 PM

I WOULD SEARCH ON EBAY UNDER ABORIGINAL AND FIND A DEALER WHO IS SELLING GOOD OLD ITEMS WITH GOOD INFORMATION AND SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP YOU GET A ID. IF YOU SEND THEM A PICTURE. YOU CAN ALSO SEARCH FOR ABORIGINAL ART DEALERS ON GOOGLE. OR YOU CAN SEND IT TO ME AND I WILL HANG IT ON THE WALL FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND PONDER IT AND SEE IF IT WILL SPEAK TO ME OF ITS ORIGIN

GOOD LUCK

mmontoro · 14th April 2006, 04:06 PM

When Vandoo is through with his evaluation you can send it to me for a year or two if you would like a second opinion.

Boswego · 14th April 2006, 04:10 PM

I agree with the Australian Aboriginal comments,ie: the form,wood,motif all look right.The only thing thats a mystery is the complexity of the carving ! The tribal Aussies were fine carvers but generally their style is a lot simpler-maybe this craftsmen just had a lot of time on His hands.

Tim Simmons · 14th April 2006, 04:28 PM

It is possible that it may be from Islands around and NW of Australia where there could an "Australasian" influence. I only say this because of the rather strong formal patterns and the actual solidness reminds me of some shield forms from the eastern extremes of Indonesian cultures. This is just a thought.

Ian · 14th April 2006, 04:53 PM

I suppose it could be Fijian, but it just does not look particularly Fijian.

You might also check out the Torres Strait Islands. They are closer to Australia and the early- to mid-20th C. attribution might fit with a period of greater European contact with those islands.

Ian.

Battara · 14th April 2006, 07:41 PM

I have seen some earlier Australian shields like this.

Boswego · 15th April 2006, 03:12 AM

Battara-Do You recall where (website maybe) You saw the earlier Australian Shields ? I'll also see if I can find pics of the Torres Island Shields on the Web-thanks to all for the help.This site is an amazing resource !

14th April 2006, 04:10 PM	#4
Boswego Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23	Australian Parrying Shield 18th-19th Century I agree with the Australian Aboriginal comments,ie: the form,wood,motif all look right.The only thing thats a mystery is the complexity of the carving ! The tribal Aussies were fine carvers but generally their style is a lot simpler-maybe this craftsmen just had a lot of time on His hands.

15th April 2006, 03:12 AM	#8
Boswego Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23	Pics of the earlier Aussie Shields? Battara-Do You recall where (website maybe) You saw the earlier Australian Shields ? I'll also see if I can find pics of the Torres Island Shields on the Web-thanks to all for the help.This site is an amazing resource !

14th April 2006, 03:36 AM	#1
mmontoro Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91	My vote is S.E. Australian, too. It looks nice. Shields were uncommon in Fiji.

14th April 2006, 03:56 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WOULD SEARCH ON EBAY UNDER ABORIGINAL AND FIND A DEALER WHO IS SELLING GOOD OLD ITEMS WITH GOOD INFORMATION AND SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP YOU GET A ID. IF YOU SEND THEM A PICTURE. YOU CAN ALSO SEARCH FOR ABORIGINAL ART DEALERS ON GOOGLE. OR YOU CAN SEND IT TO ME AND I WILL HANG IT ON THE WALL FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND PONDER IT AND SEE IF IT WILL SPEAK TO ME OF ITS ORIGIN GOOD LUCK

14th April 2006, 04:06 PM	#3
mmontoro Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91	When Vandoo is through with his evaluation you can send it to me for a year or two if you would like a second opinion.

14th April 2006, 04:28 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	It is possible that it may be from Islands around and NW of Australia where there could an "Australasian" influence. I only say this because of the rather strong formal patterns and the actual solidness reminds me of some shield forms from the eastern extremes of Indonesian cultures. This is just a thought.

14th April 2006, 04:53 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	I suppose it could be Fijian, but it just does not look particularly Fijian. You might also check out the Torres Strait Islands. They are closer to Australia and the early- to mid-20th C. attribution might fit with a period of greater European contact with those islands. Ian.

14th April 2006, 07:41 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I have seen some earlier Australian shields like this.